Archive By Author - Veronica Coons

Barton County business owners have noticed a surge in burglaries in recent years, and frustration is running high. In 2014, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's report on crimes known to law enforcement, Great Bend was number three in the state of Kansas for number of burglaries per 1,000 residents. Only Pittsburgh and Coffeyville were higher.

We've all heard the saying, "a little goes a long way." For 57 families in a six-city area, the saying rings true, says Vicky Dayton of Housing Opportunities Inc. The non-profit housing solutions company builds affordable housing through the use of federal and state grants. Since 1999, over $40 million in federal and state awards have been awarded, but it almost didn't happen, Dayton said.

Since its founding in 1872, Great Bend has held spring elections for local officials, and this year saw the last. In 1886, there was a particularly tight race for mayor, so in the spirit of honoring the past and saying goodbye to a long-standing election tradition, this week Out of the Morgue looks back at that election and the results.

A provisional ballot cast in Great Bend's Third Ward could change the outcome of one city council race. Unofficial results Tuesday showed Cory Zimmerman winning the seat with 16 votes, while Doug Keiswetter had 15 and needed one to tie. Thomas Boor was a close third with 12 votes. All three were write-in candidates.

In light of the criticism raised by conservative groups over Senator Jerry Moran's support of consideration of Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, it's time we all refresh our memory of what the term conservatism actually means.

Each week we'll take a step back into the history of Great Bend through the eyes of reporters past. We'll reacquaint you with what went into creating the Great Bend of today, and do our best to update you on what "the rest of the story" turned out to be.

ELLINWOOD - Rev. Terrance Klein, parochial administrator of St. Joseph Parish of Ellinwood, was busy placing newly polished candlesticks at the church in preparation for Easter Sunday on Thursday afternoon. This weekend, the church is expecting the return of several hundred alumni of the parish school. They are coming to celebrate the 130th anniversary of this Ellinwood institution.

This week in 1966, young men of draft age who hoped to complete college were given hope when the Selective Service announced it would continue to provide college deferments based on performance for the time being. It was reported in the March 25, 1966 edition of the Tribune, a Selective service spokesman had put it succinctly, "We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best." It issued guidelines to the local draft boards that allowed them to consider a student's calss standing and deferment test score in determining deferment eligibility.

Monday night, it was once again confirmed that Kansas is currently the nation's cautionary tale. The Late Night with Seth Meyers bit, "Kansas tax cuts: A closer look," summed up how far the great experiment in tax elimination has failed.

Frustration over bills that seemingly target western and rural Kansas unfairly was evident from some of the questions asked by attendees at the Hoisington Legislative Coffee Saturday. Hoisington School Board President Dean Stoskopf. and Superintendent Bill Lowry were vocal on a bill that would limit a district's ability to raise funds for capital improvements and one that sought to consolidate small school districts, as well as the ongoing legal battles to define the Gannon decision on school funding. Hoisington City Council member Brian Wilborn also questioned the logic of the state legislature's decisions to seek passages of some ...

Cool weather puts people in the mood for hot pancakes, Albert Volunteer Fire Chief Charles Keller said. He's a man who knows what he's talking about. Hundreds turned out Saturday evening for the annual Albert Volunteer Firefighters Pancake Feed and Raffle. Each year for 27 years, the town of about 175 population located in southwest Barton County swells to over 600 as people from the surrounding area come for all-you-can-eat pancakes, scrambled eggs and sausage and the chance to win their share of $100s in prizes donated by area businesses and individuals.

At the Hoisington legislative coffee Saturday morning, Rep. John Edmonds, Rep. Troy Waymaster, and Sen. Mitch Holmes talked on issues and actions of note in their respective houses before opening up the floor to questions.